Former Black Stars Management Committee member Ernest Thompson has suggested a radical solution to the national team’s struggles: dissolving the current squad and rebuilding from scratch. Thompson’s remarks come in the wake of Ghana’s failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in over 20 years.

The Black Stars’ dismal campaign saw them finish last in their group without a single victory, a historic low for the four-time African champions. Speaking on Joy FM, Thompson attributed the team’s decline to internal divisions and loss of cohesion, which he believes have hindered progress.

“This team is beleaguered and divided,” Thompson said. “The only way forward, whether Kurt Okraku stays or George Afriyie comes in, is to dissolve the team and form a new one. Some players have done their best, but it’s time to move on. With a fresh start and a new technical team, the Black Stars can rise again. There is light at the end of the tunnel.”

Thompson’s call for a complete overhaul coincides with heightened scrutiny of head coach Otto Addo, whose future is set to be determined by the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) Executive Council in a pivotal meeting on November 27, 2024.

The GFA faces mounting pressure to make bold decisions to address the team’s decline and restore Ghana’s footballing pride.